Nova Saunas and Swell Sport both sell outdoor traditional saunas online in Australia. Both have glowing star ratings on their own websites. When we checked the public records behind those ratings we found patterns buyers should know about before paying a deposit.
This guide sets out the pros and cons of each brand and what we observed, with dates. These are our observations and opinions based on public records. They are not findings of fraud and they do not prove any single review is fake. Both brands are welcome to reply and we will publish any response under our right of reply policy.
Quick comparison
- Nova Saunas Adelaide SA. Company active since 2 July 2025. Cabins about A$7,999 to A$13,999. Harvia or HUUM heaters. 5 year structural warranty and 1 year on heaters.
- Swell Sport Perth WA. ABN active since 9 August 2024. Cedar Cube from about A$10,990. 5 year residential warranty with wide exclusions. Faults must be reported within 24 hours of delivery.
Nova Saunas pros and cons
Pros
- Published prices, sizes and heater options
- Named Harvia and HUUM heaters
- Several cabin sizes from two to eight people
- Sauna and ice bath packages
Cons
- Short registered trading history against long warranty wording
- 10 year warranty shown as a promotion while the policy says 5 years structural
- Timber treatment and “no adhesives” claims not independently verified
- Website review dates we do not think can be relied on (see below)
Swell Sport pros and cons
Pros
- Published prices on the Cube range
- Cedar cube design with free shipping advertised
- Australian phone and email support
Cons
- Trading only since August 2024 with no showroom
- Strict terms including a 24 hour fault reporting window and restricted change of mind returns
- Long lead times that can move
- Review patterns and a product image we would question (see below)
Nova Saunas review evidence
Reviews dated before Nova was trading
Nova’s website shows 91 reviews dated January to December 2024, all marked verified. On 16 December 2024 the Internet Archive saved novasaunas.com.au as a “Launching Soon” page with no shop. The NOVA SAUNAS business name was registered in April 2025.
The review count grew backwards
An Internet Archive copy of Nova’s homepage from 2 April 2025 showed 44 reviews in total. On 30 October 2026 the site showed 116 reviews dated before that day. That is about 72 more. In plain terms reviews appear to have been added later with older dates.
Sauna Drink reviews before the product existed
The Sauna Drink listing was created on 14 September 2026. 15 reviews are dated 16 July to 7 September 2026, most stamped midnight UTC about every three days. Three include photos of the finished packaging weeks before it was listed. Pre launch samples are a possible explanation. In our view the cadence looks scheduled.
Trustpilot and Google
Trustpilot showed 4.4 from 29 reviews on 13 August 2026 and 4.0 from 9 reviews on 30 October 2026. Trustpilot does not say why reviews left the page. On Google Nova had 4.3 from 6 reviews on 30 October 2026. The newest says a buyer had no tracking 8 weeks after purchase. Nova replied it could not find a matching order. We cannot verify either side.
Full detail and dated screenshots are on the Nova review evidence page and the Nova Saunas profile.
Swell Sport review evidence
A bulk loaded review pattern
On 30 October 2026 the Cube 2 page showed 101 reviews. 75 were posted on 75 consecutive days from 6 July to 18 September 2026. Each was stamped exactly 00:00:00 UTC and marked verified. Reviewer surname initials step backwards through the alphabet and then restart. All 101 are 4 or 5 stars. In our view this is not consistent with organic customer reviews.
ProductReview copies
Five of the seven positive Swell reviews on ProductReview.com.au matched Swell website reviews word for word under the same first names. Four carried the same photo. One appeared on ProductReview 78 seconds before the same text showed on the website. In our view the ProductReview score is not independent of the website reviews.
Trustpilot
On 30 October 2026 Trustpilot showed 4 from 7 reviews. A detailed 1 star complaint posted on 10 July 2026 described a late White Retreat 4 with a yellow finish, glue residue and visible screws. All six 5 star reviews followed between 16 July and 23 August 2026, five from accounts with one review. We have not verified the complaint.
Product image watch-out
A Cube 2 interior image on the Swell website shows small black boxes and holes on the back wall that do not appear in other shots of the model. The plank colour and length also change every few centimetres on timber sold as full length. This is a visual observation only. Ask for unedited photos or video of a delivered unit.
Delivery dates and pre sell
Swell lead times are long and dates can vary. This fits a common import model where deposits are taken before a container ships. We have not confirmed Swell’s ordering model. Get your delivery window and deposit terms in writing.
Full detail and dated screenshots are on the Swell review evidence page and the Swell Sport profile.
Which should you buy?
In our view, neither brand’s own star ratings are a strong basis for a decision. Nova offers more sizes, lower entry prices and named heaters. Swell offers a cedar cube design with published prices. Both are young businesses with long lead times. It’s worth checking independent reviews and giving them more weight than website reviews, and worth asking for every promise in writing.
Read our questions before paying a deposit guide and compare more options in traditional brand comparisons.
Checklist before you pay a deposit
- Worth checking: is your unit already in Australia or on a future shipment?
- Ask for the delivery window in writing.
- Worth checking: what happens to your deposit if the date moves?
- Ask which warranty term applies to your exact order.
- Ask for unedited photos or video of a recent install.
- Worth checking: which legal entity are you contracting with?
FAQ
Are Nova Saunas reviews reliable?
In our view the dates and verified labels on Nova’s own website reviews cannot be relied on. 116 reviews are dated before 2 April 2025, when an Internet Archive copy showed 44. Independent platforms showed 9 Trustpilot and 6 Google reviews on 30 October 2026.
Are Swell Sport reviews reliable?
On 30 October 2026 we found 75 Cube 2 reviews posted one a day for 75 days, each stamped midnight UTC, plus five ProductReview reviews that match website reviews word for word. In our view the star ratings should be treated with caution.
Which is cheaper, Nova or Swell?
Nova cabins were about A$7,999 to A$13,999 in our 2026 checks. Swell Cube saunas started from about A$10,990 on 30 October 2026.
What should I ask before paying a deposit?
Ask whether your unit is in Australia or on a future shipment. Get the delivery window and refund terms in writing. Ask for unedited photos or video of a recent install and confirm the warranty that applies to your order.
Evidence checked 30 October 2026 (Australia/Sydney). Scores and pages change, so check the live sources.